India-France defense cooperation a strong pillar of bilateral ties: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday and said that India and France are exploring the possibility of co-development and co-production of key military equipment for export to friendly countries and space-based maritime Increasing cooperation in awareness. Addressing a joint press conference with Macron, Modi, who is on a two-day official visit to France, said a roadmap is being drawn up with bold and ambitious goals to strengthen Indo-French strategic ties over the next 25 years. Modi said that a long-term agreement has been signed between ‘Indian Oil’ and ‘Total’ company of France for the import of LNG. “This will help us achieve our goal of adopting clean energy,” he said. The signing of the agreement also announced major cooperation in the space sector.

The two countries also announced plans for joint development in the field of launch vehicles and ‘NewSpace India Limited’ and ‘Arianespace’ signed a letter of intent to cooperate on commercial launch services. Both sides released a ‘Horizon 2047’ blueprint to set the direction of bilateral relations till 2047. Prime Minister Modi announced that an agreement has been reached in France to provide India’s ‘Unified Payment Interface’. France is the first European country to do so. Modi also mentioned plans of French companies to develop helicopter engines, produce spare parts and set up MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) facilities in India. The Defense Ministry on Thursday approved proposals to buy 26 naval variants of Rafale jets from France and three French-designed Scorpene class submarines. Defense cooperation has been a strong pillar of our close ties, the Prime Minister said. It is a symbol of deep mutual trust between the two countries.

France is an important partner in the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. Today we will discuss about co-production related to new technologies, he said. Modi said both sides can also produce military equipment for friendly third world countries. He said that India and France will take forward ties in the civil nuclear sector and discuss possibilities of cooperation in the field of small and advanced modular plants. He said that India and France are together in the fight against terrorism. Modi said, “We believe that strong action is needed to eliminate cross-border terrorism and both countries have agreed to take more steps in this direction.” The Prime Minister said that the Indo-Pacific region of India and France has a special responsibility to ensure peace and stability. China has adopted an aggressive stance in the Indo-Pacific region. “As resident powers of the Indo-Pacific, India and France have a special responsibility to maintain peace and stability in the region,” he said.

Modi said that COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine have affected the whole world and have particularly negatively affected the countries of the ‘Global South’. He said, “It is a matter of concern. It is necessary for countries to make united efforts to find solutions to such problems. We believe that all disputes can be resolved only through dialogue and diplomacy. India is ready to contribute to lasting peace.” Prime Minister Modi and Macron also addressed the ‘CEO Forum’. Modi announced that India would open a consulate in the southern French city of Marseille. Earlier in the day, Modi attended the Bastille Day Parade held on Friday as part of the French National Day celebrations, along with President Macron, as a special guest.A contingent of India’s three services took part in the parade and enthralled the people. On this occasion, Rafale fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) also participated in the ‘flypast’ along with the French fighter jets.

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